It was a spectacular day in Vatican City as seagulls gathered people from around the world eagerly anticipating the first sign of smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, May 7. However, the birds dispersed when black smoke emerged at around 3 p.m. ET, signaling more voting in the ongoing papal conclave. Livestream cameras captured a few seagulls, including a chick, amusing onlookers both in the Vatican and at home as they hopped around the church’s chimney. A screenshot from USA TODAY’s papal conclave livestream featured a seagull perched on the Sistine Chapel roof on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
The College of Cardinals, selected by the late Pope Francis, entered the Sistine Chapel for the initial round of conclave voting on Wednesday morning. Tasked with electing the next pontiff, the cardinals are secluded during the conclave, but their decisions are revealed through the smoke emanating from the chapel chimney. Some seagulls are delighting viewers online with their close-up view of the proceedings, sparking funny reactions on social media.
Seagulls have captured hearts, with some jokingly speculating if they are running for pope or casting judgment. This isn’t the first time seagulls have appeared during a papal conclave, recalling a similar occurrence during the 2013 election of Pope Francis. USA TODAY is streaming the Sistine Chapel events, including the chimney, until 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 7.
On May 7, 2025, at the Vatican, the College of Cardinals convened for a papal conclave to elect a new pope. The cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel, pledged secrecy, and closed the church’s doors to begin the voting process. Each cardinal cast a secret ballot by dropping it into a large chalice after saying a prayer. If no candidate received a two-thirds majority, subsequent rounds of voting were conducted. The process continued until a candidate secured the necessary votes. Black smoke emitting from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicated an inconclusive vote, whereas white smoke signaled the election of a new pope. The event garnered attention as a seagull unexpectedly stole the spotlight during the livestream of the papal conclave, prompting humorous reactions from viewers. For additional updates and news, contact Greta Cross, a national trending reporter at USA TODAY, at gcross@usatoday.com.
